We could then elect one set of officers, have one set of offices, stop all these suits, and leave everybody happy." He said this in an easy, patronizing way, as though Cowperwood had not really thought it all out years before.

It amazed the latter no little to see his own scheme patronizingly brought back to him, and that, too, by a very powerful man locally--one who thus far had chosen to overlook him utterly.
"On what basis," asked Cowperwood, cautiously, "would you expect these new companies to come in ?" "On the same basis as the others, if they are not too heavily capitalized.

I haven't thought out all the details.

Two or three for one, according to investment.

Of course, the prejudices of these old companies have to be considered." Cowperwood meditated.